Chivox Ltd. is a company specialized in intelligent speech analysis technology for oral language teaching and learning. As founder and CEO, I’m excited by the fact that billions of learners from all over the world have benefited from our technology. In 2012, our cloud recorded only 2000 recordings a week of learners practising their pronunciation with Chivox technology. In 2014, it recorded some tens of millions recordings on a daily base. At Chivox, we believe intelligent speech analysis technology would change the way people acquire speaking skills and enable more speak fluent foreign languages.

Share three predictions on the future of Edtech.

As Edtech integrates deeper and deeper into education practice, the role of a teacher would be changed significantly. Knowledge introduction and skill coaching would be removed from a human teacher’s responsibilities. Teachers would focus much more on driving learners to learn, giving instructions on study roadmap and fostering learners to have proper learning habbits.

Edtech would focus on two areas: artificial intelligence and big data.

Artificial intelligence technology would take more and more off human teachers until teaching eliminated and education becomes truly learner-centred.

What technologies do you believe have the potential to transform the education industry?

It would be Artificial intelligence and big data. AR may be another one that would work and make significant impacts.

Looking at the key trends over the past 5 years in edtech, what would you say have been the key areas of change that are impacting edtech today? Anything unexpected that surprised you? Trends that were overhyped and never met their expected potential?

Internet and mobile Internet have been the key areas of change in the past 5 years that are impacting edtech today. Artificial intelligence would be key too but its effects have just started. There would much more to come in the near future.

1 v 1 video streaming technology that has generated a huge industry in education in China in a very short period of time did surprise me a bit.

Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) were highly rated when they were out in the first place. However, it didn’t change much in education yet. I think their best era might come soon.

Why is it important for all players in the edtech ecosystem to continuously connect, network and learn from each other?

Because in edtech or maybe any other areas, the only things matter for companies are understandings of the industry and capability to implement. It is hard for anyone who wants to acquire enough understanding without continuously connecting, networking and learning from each other.

When you think about joining EdTechXAsia this year, what are you looking forward to? What makes you excited about our event in Singapore?

Last year, my friend and colleague mentioned to me the event and I was really interested in it.

I’m looking forward to sharing with, meeting with and learning from experts/innovators/entrepreneurs from all over Asia in Edtech.

The topics as well as outstanding speakers covering almost every area of Edtech make me excited. I’m sure I would learn a lot and update my understanding of the Edtech industry by participating the event.